Burglarproof apparatus for banks



May 23, i933. J, w, MCCLUN 1,919,472

BURGLARPHOOF APPARATUS FOR BANKS NNUU Filed May 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7 N /1 f "ileg''l/f/l si [jl/T f l N1 1 4 l I l' 1% f/fy I if f! *l 4, f l 1 V;

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INVENTOR ATTORNEY May 23, i933. J. W. MCCLUN l,9l0,472

BURGLARPROOF APPARATUS FOR BANKS Filed May 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jams La@ 0,5m?

ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1933 i i JAMES w. MccLUN, or PHILADELPHIA, I'ENNSYLVVANIA4 BUBGLARPROOF APPARATUS FOR BANKS Application filed May 18, 1931. Serial vNo.v 538,327.

The present invention relates to an imtear gas outlets, and illustrating parts proved burglar proof apparatus for use in broken away and showing the tear gas tanks protecting banks and similar places, and as connected to the remote bars of the winthe purpose of the invention is to provide dow grating.

an apparatus of this character, so installed Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-.2 of 50' adjacent the cashiers cage and associated Figure l. with the cashiers window grating and op- Figure 3 is a sectional Viewy on lineBferable by the foot of the cashier as to disof Figure 2. charge tear gas in the face of the burglar, Figure 4 is an enlarged detail View of and at the same time sound an alarm, such one of the hollow grating bars ofthe win- 55 as a bell or siren exteriorly of the bank dow grating. building, thereby rendering the cashier safe Figure 5 is a sectional View on line 5-5 as well as guarding the bank against of Figure 4. burglary. Obviously the tear gas will dis- Referring to the drawings l identifies a charge into the face of the burglar so blurcashiers Vcage and 2 the cashiers window. 60 ring his eyes that he will not be able to The bars of the, window are constructed see the cashier, or observe his movements. hollow or tubular from thev top of thel grat- Another purpose is to provide an apparaing down to a point a little below five feet tus including tanks of tear gas under presfrom the floor in front of the window. The

the foot of the cashier Jfor permitting the the reference character 3. The remotebars tear gas to escape, and discharge from the 4 of the windowgrating are hollow or tububars of the window grating. larv for their entire length, and are united Another purpose is to construct the winby a transverse tubularportion 5 at thetop 2 hollow a substantial distance down from the tions 3 of the window grating or bars top, at least to a point less than iive feet have outlets 6, which are camoulaged by from the Hoor, and provided with carnoumeans of rosettes, or any other designs or laged outlets so that the tear gas may easily filigree work as at 7. These rosettes or filidischarge when permitted to escape from the gree work are for the purpose of rendering 75 tanks. the outlets obscure tothe observer, so that It is to be understood that the particulars a burglar, who may stand in front of the herein given are in no way limitative, and cashiers window will not be able to note that while still keeping within the scope of the origin of the tear gas.

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` sure, in conjunction with means operated by hollow portions of the bars are identified by 65 dow grating of the cashiers cage of bars 0f the window grating. The hollow por- 7o the invention, any desired modification of Arranged under the counteribaek of the e0l details and proportions may be made in the cashiers cage are tanks 8, which are adaptconstruction of the appliance according to ed to contain tear gas under pressure.

circumstances. Pipes 9l are connected tothe tanks 8, and

The invention comprises further features in turn. are connected by elbows l0 to thev and combination of parts to be hereinafter remote side bars 4 of the cashiers window, 851

set forth, shown in the drawings and so that when valves 1l whichv are carried by claimed. the pipes 9 are opentear gas under pressure In the drawings will pass through the remote -side bars or Figure l is a view of a conventional type rods 4 and thenk escape at the camoulaged of cashiers cage, showing the camouflaged outlets.

A suitable foot treadle or operating bar 12 is also operatively mounted under the counter of the cashiers cage and is provided with operative connections 13 with the valve stems 141 of the valves 11 to open the latter.

One of the side arms 15 of thetreadle is provided with a contact 16, which is in circuit with an electrically operated siren or bell 16a, but which may belocated exteriorily of the bank building or may be located at police headquarters. Positioned below and adapted tobe engaged by the contacts 16 is a contact 17, which is also in circuit with the alarm device (not shown), ,soy that when the treadle is foot operated the "contacts 1G and 17 Will engage andcause an elec.-`

tric circuit to be closed, thereby operating the alarm, at the same time turning kon the tear gas.

Suitable brackets 18 are carried by the sides of the tanks 8, on which the side arms- 15 of the treadle are pivotally mounted at 19. Formed on the brackets 18 are ratchets 20, theteeth of which are relatively small and are engaged by the dogs or pawls 21,

which are pivoted intheside arms'l of the treadle, so that when the treadle is moved downwardly against the `tension of the springs 22 the dogs or pawls 21 will be received by the teeth of the ratchets andrholdr the treadle in its down position, thereby keeping the valves open and hence allowing a thorough supply of tear gas to discharge Jfrom the outlet 6.

' Bymeans on an apparatus of this kind it is possible to Vso blurl the eyes of a gunman or hold upman, in front of va cashiers window, as to prevent himobser-v-A ing the cashier. behind the window, render-y ing the cashier comparatively. safe and at the same time averting robbery of the cash.

on hand. Obviously uponV operating the treadle the contactsengage and sound the exter-ior alarm, thereby bringing. police protection to the' bank.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is:

1. A protecting apparatus comprising a7 grating-including hollow side bars and intermediate bars-, the latter having hollow` por-tions extending downwardlyy a substantial distance from thetop of the grating with the hollow portions communicating with the side bars, the hollow portions having camouflagedoutlets, a` source'of-tear'gas f .K nected to the rstems'vof theI valves for opening' 'the latte'rto release-the tear gas, means on thexsides of the.v tanks and pivotally supporting the side arms of the treadle, tensioning means connected to the supporting means and side arms respectively :tor normally holding the valves closed, and'means operating upon the opening of the valves to hold vthe latter open.. I l' In testimony whereofJI affix my signature.

' y JAMES jw. MCCLUN,l

supply, pipes communicating therewith-andl with the side bars res ectively, valvesv in the pipes for controlling the discharge of gas 'rom the source, and manually actuated means having' connection with Athe valves for opening the latter to'allow the passage" of gasthrough the side bars and into the hollow portions of the intermediate bars so as to escape from the outlets. Y 

